TWO secondary schools in Yate and Winterbourne are set to be transformed into 21st century independent academies.

The Ridings High School in Winterbourne and King Edmund Community School in Sundridge Park, Yate, have been been given government backing for the pioneering initiative to link a 'top of the league' school with a lesser achieving one.

The two schools will form a federation, with The Ridings taking a lead educational role, and will become independent of the Local Education Authority.

They will be run by a combined board of governors with an executive principal in charge.

The academies could open as early as September 2009.

King Edmunds headteacher Roger Gilbert said the plans, which had been kept secret from staff and pupils until Monday, would provide new opportunities not only for students and staff but for the whole of the south Yate community.

He told the Gazette: "This will mean we can offer 21st century education fit for the 21st century.

"We will still offer GCSEs, A-Levels and do all the statutory testing but we will have much more flexibility in terms of how we organise the curriculum, staffing structures and financial management."

Undisclosed local industry leaders and higher education institutes have agreed to sponsor the schools.

Mr Gilbert said the government project had moved forward since Labour launched its controversial city academies in 2002, which saw businesses invest millions of pounds in failing schools with little improvement.

"Our sponsors will not only invest financially but will offer us advice, expertise and the use of their facilities," said Mr Gilbert.

"Both schools will retain their own identities and uniqueness and I think the link sixth form between King Edmund, Brimsham Green and Chipping Sodbury schools will only be enhanced.

"It is an honour and a privilege to have been selected and we are excited about becoming masters of our own destinies."

Ridings headteacher Dr Robert Gibson said: "We need to adapt our present view of education to a longer-term vision in which greater school independence provides momentum in support of initiative and innovation to raise standards further."

The Ridings boasts International School Status and already offers the International Baccalaureate.

It will focus on international education and hopes to become an International Academy.

A new vocational centre was opened at King Edmunds in 2006, offering students a variety of courses in beauty, construction and engineering and as an academy it will focus on vocational education.

South Gloucestershire Council has lent its support to the move.

Cllr Sheila Cook, executive member for children and young people, said: "I welcome this opportunity to explore new ways of working with The Ridings High School and King Edmund Community School for the benefit of young people in this area."

Secretary of State for Schools Ed Balls will launch the academies federation prospectus, which details the partnership between the two South Gloucestershire schools, on Tuesday.